A year ago the team didn't make the state field despite holding the No. 1 ranking most of the season. Thompson wasn't sure this year's squad could make a run, either. Then, after the Bulldogs lost to Chatfield in early February, they didn't lose again.

"Every game was going to be tough for us," Thompson said. "But we played well, and we played with poise. I give our kids a lot of credit."

Especially Nelson.

"He was a man possessed in that second half," Thompson said. "And it was fantastic."

Cory Speer added 18 points for the Bulldogs, and Sam Ruth finished with 10. They joined Nelson as the only three players to score for their team until more than six minutes had passed in the second half.